Marine Drive- Mumbai: A Guide Famous the Queen’s Necklace

Marine Drive is one of the most iconic and scenic places in Mumbai, India. It is a 3-kilometer-long promenade that curves along the coast of the Arabian Sea, forming a natural bay. It is also known as the Queen’s Necklace because of its sparkling street lights that resemble a string of pearls at night.

Marine Drive was built in the early 20th century as part of a reclamation project that expanded the city westward. The road and promenade were constructed by Pallonji Mistry, a prominent Parsi industrialist. The buildings along Marine Drive are mostly designed in an art deco style, which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. They reflect the aspirations and modernity of their wealthy owners, who were movie stars, migrants and royals.

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Marine Drive is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. It offers a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, with its cool breeze, palm trees and panoramic views of the sea and skyline. It is also a hub for cultural activities, sports clubs and hotels. Visit during Mumbai Local sightseeing by cab Some of the attractions along Marine Drive are:

• Girgaon Chowpatty: This is a sandy beach at the northern end of Marine Drive, where people enjoy street food, camel rides, balloon sellers and festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi.
• Wankhede Stadium: This is a cricket stadium that hosts international matches and tournaments like IPL. It has a capacity of 33,000 spectators and was renovated for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
• Brabourne Stadium: This is another cricket stadium that was built in 1937 by Lord Brabourne, then Governor of Bombay. It has hosted many historic matches and events like Lata Mangeshkar’s concert in 1975.
• Rajabai Clock Tower: This is a Gothic-style tower that stands at 85 meters tall and houses the University of Mumbai’s library. It was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and completed in 1878. It has a clock that chimes every 15 minutes and can be heard from afar.
• Oberoi Hotel: This is a five-star hotel that offers luxury accommodation, dining and spa facilities. It was formerly known as Hilton Towers until it reverted to its original name in 2008.
• Intercontinental Hotel: This is another five-star hotel that overlooks Marine Drive and has an outdoor pool, rooftop restaurant and bar.
• Art Deco Buildings: These are some of the most distinctive features of Marine Drive, with their geometric shapes, colorful facades and ornamental motifs. Some examples are Kapur Mahal, Zaver Mahal, Keval Mahal, Al-Sabah Court and Al-Jabreya Court.

Marine Drive is a must-visit place for anyone who wants to experience Mumbai’s charm, history and culture. It is best enjoyed during sunrise or sunset when it glows with golden hues or twinkles with fairy lights.

Marine Drive- Mumbai Location:

Marine Drive is a 3 km long promenade along the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road in Mumbai, India. It is a C-shaped concrete road that runs along the coast of a natural bay, connecting Nariman Point at the southern tip to Babulnath and Malabar Hill at the northern tip. Marine Drive is situated on reclaimed land facing west-south-west, and offers a stunning view of the Arabian Sea and the city skyline.

Significance of:

Marine Drive is one of the most iconic landmarks of Mumbai, often referred to as the Queen’s Necklace because of its glowing string of street lights that resemble a string of pearls at night. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai. The road and promenade are lined with many elegant Art Deco buildings that reflect the aspirations and culture of wealthy Parsis, movie stars, industrialists and migrants who built them in the 1920s and 1930s. Marine Drive also hosts many prestigious hotels, sports clubs, cricket stadiums and cultural venues that add to its charm and glamour.

Marine Drive- Information:

Marine Drive was built as part of the British government’s Back Bay Reclamation Scheme during the second phase of Mumbai’s urban development in the early 20th century. The construction began at Girgaon Chowpatty in 1915, named after Sir Michael Kavanagh Kennedy, an engineer who was Secretary of the Bombay Public Works Department. The reclamation works were completed by mid 1930s, and attention turned to architecture.

The Art Deco style was popularized by architects like G.B. Mhatre, who designed many buildings along Marine Drive such as Kapur Mahal, Zaver Mahal and Keval Mahal. The last of these buildings came up in late 1940s and 1950s by wealthy Hindu families who migrated from Pakistan during Partition. Some buildings were also owned by Kuwaiti royals as holiday homes.

How to Reach Marine Drive:

Marine Drive can be easily reached by public transport or private vehicles from any part of Mumbai. The nearest railway stations are Churchgate on Western Line and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on Central Line. There are also buses, taxis and auto rickshaws that ply on this route frequently. Alternatively, one can take a ferry from Gateway of India or Colaba to reach Nariman Point or Chowpatty Beach.

Things to Do-:

There are plenty of things to do at Marine Drive for tourists and locals alike. One can enjoy a leisurely walk or jog along the promenade, watch the sunset or sunrise over the sea, relax on Chowpatty Beach or indulge in some street food like bhel puri or pav bhaji. One can also visit some of the attractions nearby such as Taraporewala Aquarium, Hanging Gardens, Kamala Nehru Park or Wilson College.

For those who love sports and culture, there are options like Cricket Club of India (CCI), Brabourne Stadium , Wankhede Stadium , Garware Club House , Hindu Gymkhana , Parsi Gymkhana , Islam Gymkhana , National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) or Eros Cinema . For those who want to splurge on luxury hotels , there are choices like Oberoi Hotel , Intercontinental Hotel , Hotel Marine Plaza or Sea Green Hotel .

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